Why Case | Case Heritage  

Heritage 

Case Construction Equipment’s rich, proud history spans more than 170 years. Growing from J.I. Case’s innovations in steam-powered machinery in the late 1800s, Case developed road-building equipment that helped create 20th century streets and highways across the world. By the early 1900s, Case was well on its way to establishing itself as a full-line manufacturer of construction equipment. See how the company expanded its construction equipment business through the years.

Company Milestones

1842
1865
1869
1912
1957
1969
1982
1988
1992
1995
2005
2008
2011
2011
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1842 - Case is founded
Jerome Increase Case founded the Racine Threshing Machine Works in Racine, Wisconsin, USA. The company's threshing machines were capable of threshing 10 times more wheat than the existing hand-powered method.

1865 - Old Abe becomes company mascot
In 1865, Old Abe began his career as the most famous bird in construction and agriculture history as the trademark of J.I. Case Company.

1869 - Case makes first portable steam engine
Case constructed the first portable steam engine, leading to the birth of road construction. The original machine is on display at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.

1912 - Case manufactures road-building equipment
Case manufactured a complete line of road-building equipment, including graders and steam rollers for compacting road surfaces.

1957 - Case builds first factory-integrated tractor loader/backhoe
Case introduced the landmark Case Model 320, the industry’s first factory-integrated tractor loader/backhoe.

1969 - Case begins skid steer loader production
Case purchased the rights to produce multi-purpose skid steer loaders. Production began in Burlington, Iowa, but later moved to Wichita, Kansas, where it continues today.

1982 - Case celebrates 25th anniversary of the loader/backhoe
Case celebrated the 25th anniversary of the first factory-integrated tractor loader/backhoe with the introduction of the 580D.

1988 - Case recognized by Fortune magazine
Case loader/backhoes were listed by Fortune magazine among the "100 Products America Makes Best."

1992 - Case celebrates 150-year anniversary
Case celebrated its sesquicentennial year and dedicated its new operations building at the company’s headquarters in Racine, Wisconsin.

1995 - Case expands attachment offering
Case initiated co-branding and supply agreements with several key suppliers for power and application attachments as well as quick couplers.

2005 - Case makes its 500,000th loader/backhoe
Case manufactured its 500,000th tractor loader/backhoe – a unique milestone for the entire construction industry.

2008 - JI Case is inducted into Hall of Fame
Jerome Increase Case inducted into the Construction Equipment Hall of Fame by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers for his significant contributions to the construction industry.

2011 - Case leads Tier 4 solutions
Case became the first construction equipment manufacture to offer both selective catalytic reduction and cooled exhaust gas recirculation as solutions toward meeting stringent emissions standards.

2011 - Long Enters Hall of Fame
Case engineer Elton Long, “father of the loader/backhoe,” is inducted into Construction Equipment Hall of Fame by Association of Equipment Manufacturers for contributions to the construction industry.


Case firsts
In 1957, Case produced the world’s first integrated loader/backhoe made and warranted by one manufacturer. Through the decades and into the 21st century, Case has continued to develop a long line of industry firsts and has taken a leadership role in pioneering new products and solutions. Today, Case produces more than a dozen lines of equipment, ranging from our smallest compact excavators and skid steer loaders to our largest wheel loaders and mass excavators. Supported by manufacturing and sales in more than 150 countries, Case combines the best in proven product performance and innovation to serve the needs of our customers worldwide.

A few of the technologies Case pioneered include:

  • Case Extendahoe extendible dipper stick
  • Return to travel 
  • Return to dig
  • Power turn on crawler dozers
  • Ride control on skid steers 
  • Ride control on loader/backhoes
  • Backhoe quick coupler
  • Use of biodiesel blends 
  • Application of SCR technology to meet U.S. Tier 4 and EU 4 Interim requirements

Today, Case is focused on what our next generation of customers will need.